"The Deadly Neighbors" by Merry Jones - a Book Review

This is the third book in Merry Jones' "Zoe Hayes" mystery series. Although I enjoyed the first two books, this one sadly missed the mark.

Zoe and her friend, Susan, were very entertaining characters in the first two books. In "The Deadly Neighbors", however, Zoe seems to wake up stupid and never shakes it off.

The plot has great possibilities and but is fragmented and not well-developed. Zoe continually misses obvious clues and misjudges character. She repeatedly endangers her life and those of her unborn baby and six year old daughter.  Zoe is neither credible nor likable in this book.

The end of the book ought to have much more punch, but the crimes and criminals are not wrapped up. Loose ends dangle in abundance. Zoe limps across the finish line, leaving the reader wondering how she came to have so many friends, adopted a child, and why her fiancé puts up with her.

If this book were performed as a play, the audience would not applaud at the conclusion, expecting another act.

My grade is C-.

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur; 1st edition (November 27, 2007)

Language: English

Merry Jones' is also the author of "The Nanny Murders" and "The River Killings."